Tax evasion charges are never fashionable

September 30, 2014

Fashionistas are wrapping up a month of shows that have taken them from New York to London to Milan and now Paris.

One big name designer, however, might not be paying as close attention as usual to the City of Light's catwalks this week. A couple of Prada executives have taxes instead of tailleur on their minds.

Paris Fashion Week via PFWLive
A month of global fashion weeks, during which designers preview their coming spring and fall clothing lines, concludes this week in Paris. Click the image for a glimpse of what the rich and famous might be wearing in early 2015.

Prada chairwoman Miuccia Prada Bianchi and her husband and company chief executive officer Patrizio Bertelli are being investigated by Italian authorities over past taxes.

The Italian Judicial Authority informed the couple that it has questions about alleged tax evasion related to the 10 years that Prada was based in the notorious tax-haven country of Luxembourg. Specifically, Italy's tax officials are interested in "the accuracy of certain past tax filings by them as individuals in respect of foreign-owned companies."

The company itself was the target of a tax investigation last year, after which Prada returned its holding company to Italy to appease the tax authorities. The haute couture company and its subsidiaries are not involved in this investigation.

The examination of the Prada executives is the latest look by Italian tax officials at alleged fashion house tax hi-jinks.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, founders of the eponymous Dolce & Gabbana fashion line, were convicted last year of tax evasion. They appealed and in April the two Italian designers were each given a reduced, suspended sentence of 18 months in jail.

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Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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